With the holidays fast approaching, it’s time to start planning your party menu. Make celebrating a cinch with these easy-to-mix cocktails from Ketel One vodka, Bushmills Irish Whiskey, and Baileys Irish Cream. These drinks are sure to get your guests in the holiday spirit:

Preparation1. Crush candy cane with the back of a spoon.
2. Pour hot chocolate and Baileys into a coffee mug.
3. Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
4. Sprinkle crushed candy cane on top.
5. Garnish with mint leaf?

Also, do you need a last minute gift for a spirits enthusiast this season? Cross them off your list by picking up a Ketel One gift set complete with a bottle of Ketel One and a stainless steel cocktail shaker for a suggested retail price of $23.

A study by BRIDES Magazine reveals how and why couples are recasting the traditional wedding and what defines THE NEW AMERICAN WEDDING as we enter 2010.

The stuffy by-the-rule-book wedding of years past has completely vanished. There is a woman in white, music, food, cake and vows – but every other aspect of the American wedding has been reconsidered. The New American Wedding presents itself as an unlikely, but decade defining, combination of the fundamentally traditional with the wildly original.

The word “party” has literally replaced “reception” in wedding lingo. Right now, it’s all about combining personal touches and ethic flares. Grooms are taking part and couples, together, are determined to “throw the best party ever” that feels uniquely their own:

Fewer than half of weddings take place in a house of worship. One third of couples marry outdoors. 20% of couples have a friend or relative deputized to perform the ceremony. 13% of receptions feature music via i-Pod. Over 1/4 of couples plan their weddings around a theme (romance in Paris, Stars and Moons). 85% of couples are personalizing at least some aspect of the reception. 97% of grooms get involved with the planning. For those going with live bands, they’re thinking specialty bands i.e. salsa, R&B, Polka and brides are entering less to “Here comes the bride…” than to Coltrane, Coldplay and the Beatles. Soul-food and Mexican are the new go-to wedding cuisine.

At the same time, many couples are holding on to certain wedding traditions that have been in place for generations:

A full 76% will have a large wedding with all the traditions, half because “it’s a beautiful ritual they’ve always looked forward to.” 87% of women will wear a long white dress. 85% of couples will enter their reception (or party) to “For the first time, Mr. and Mrs….” 93% will indulge in a cake-cutting ceremony. 75% of brides will toss the bouquet and just under that amount will share a father/daughter dance.

Despite economic gloom casting a spell on consumer confidence this year, America’s darkest holiday is looking bright for retailers. According to industry research firm IBISWorld, Halloween sales are expected to reach a record-breaking $6 billion in 2009, up 4.2 percent from the $5.77 billion generated last year.

“Economic recovery appears to be around the corner and consumers are enthusiastically looking to escape their recessionary woes,” said Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBISWorld. “Even last year, when the outlook was much worse, the Halloween spirit remained unhindered as we saw total sales actually jump 5.1 percent from 2007.”

It appears an increasing number of people are buying treats this year, making candy the fastest growing holiday category. The average person is estimated to spend about $22.50 on Halloween treats in 2009.

Also fuelling this year’s record-breaking sales is the demand for holiday decorations. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, more adults are expected to join the fun. In fact, 32 percent of people celebrating the holiday will either host or attend a party. For this reason, IBISWorld expects decorations to reach its highest level yet at $1.64 billion.

“Halloween-related festivities are a growing trend and this is driving sales of decorations and candy,” adds van Beeck. “Dollar and variety stores stand to benefit from the 4.4 percent increase in decoration sales, as consumers look to purchase cheap and disposable thrills to make a memorable evening.”

Call it escapism or just good, old-fashioned fun, Americans of all ages show the desire to go all out when it comes to dressing-up. Costumes are expected to generate the greatest amount of revenue this Halloween, but growth is slight (2.4 percent) as consumers will apply more frugal but creative approaches when shopping.

”Despite more people participating in festivities, money is still tight and consumers will look to cut corners when it comes costume purchases,” said van Beeck. “Instead of buying a packaged costume, which can cost up to $60 on average, people will get more eclectic and opt for cheaper individual items.”

But given the lack of growth for the card category, not all cheaper items will fare well this year. While cards did well last year, as consumers chose to cut back on pricier categories, 2009 expenditures will revert back to traditional shopping habits.

“Although unemployment is still very high, the overall outlook is far rosier today than it was this time last year,” adds van Beeck. “For this reason, IBISWorld expects the upward trend in Halloween expenditures to continue its course for 2009, which despite economic conditions will prove to be the best year yet.”

Las Vegas is an adult playground, the perfect place for bachelorette’s to let loose with their girlfriends and enjoy the last days of single-dom. Whether it’s a wild pool party followed by an even wilder night on the town or a relaxing day at the spa and dinner at a swanky restaurant, Sin City has something to satisfy every Bachelorette.

With so many different hotel options both on and off the strip, Oyster Hotel Reviews sent its reporters undercover to determine which hotels struck the perfect balance of relaxation and debauchery for brides-to-be.

“Men and women have differing tastes when it comes to partying in Vegas. Women may be inclined to choose a hotel with relaxing day spa to spend time with her girl friends over choosing a hotel with access to great golf courses, for example,” says Will Begeny, Senior Editor for Oyster Hotel Reviews. “Palazzo, Bellagio and the Wynn topped our list for best bachelorette parties for their spa services, hot nightlife and softer styled décor.”

Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino – Average Price: $299/night
Styled a little softer and more feminine than the bachelor-swank of rival Wynn, the enormous rooms at the Palazzo could host a small party. But it’s what’s outside the rooms that makes this our top pick: The Tao and Lavo nightclubs are among the hippest party scenes on the Strip). The hotel’s world-famous Canyon Ranch Spa is arguably the best spa in town. The hotel houses some of the Strip’s best restaurants, including the Japanese-Peruvian-Brazilian cuisine of SushiSamba. And the shops at the Palazzo include top names like Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg, plus an 85,000-square-foot Barney’s New York.

Bellagio – Average Price: $239/night
Designed to look like an enormous Italian villa, Bellagio offers serenity (it even has its own botanical gardens) as well as a prime central location for hitting parties on or off the Strip (virtually all the notable clubs are just a short cab ride away). Pamper the whole party at the spa’s whirlpools, eucalyptus steam room, and sauna. The group can also enjoy spa manicures and pedicures together while sipping champagne in a private room. Pick from one of the hotel’s 20-plus restaurants for dinner. Later, burn off the booze and food with a Pilates, cardio, or body-sculpting class at the excellent fitness center.

Wynn Las Vegas – Average Price: $289/night
Luxury pick Wynn is home to Tryst, one of Vegas’ swankiest nightclubs. Getting beyond the bouncer can be tough, but a group of women should fare well (short skirts might help). The hotel’s more intimate nightclub, Blush, has outdoor seating. Beyond the clubs, the gorgeous spa, and the classy “European pool” (where you can sunbathe topless), the biggest perk at the Wynn is its enormous rooms – perfect for having your whole group over for cocktails before heading out on the town.

Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino – Average Price: $218/night
Balancing low-key partying with ample pampering, Caesars Palace is a great choice for bachelorettes. (Don’t let that bachelor party gone awry in The Hangover dissuade you.) Qua Baths & Spa, one of the best spas in Vegas, offers, among other delights, its own Roman baths, Laconium steam baths, and Vichy showers; a day pass costs $45. The two-story Pure nightclub has four distinct spaces, each with its own DJ, so you can scope out the right crowd for your mood. And the adults-only Venus Pool is a bit more laid-back than some of the other, more notorious pool parties in Vegas.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Average Price: $216/night
Hard Rock is for ladies who are, well, ready to rock. By day, the Beach Club Pool is about the craziest scene on the Strip — especially on Sunday, when it hosts the Rehab pool party. At night, the clubs Body English and Wasted Space — both known to attract celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Kevin Federline — are Vegas favorites. After-hours, you can scarf down some American fare at the 24-hour restaurant.

For girls on a budget, this place sound great too:

The Palms Casino Resort – Average Price: $82/night
If what the bride-to-be needs is to feel sexy, head to the Palms’ coed hammam (Turkish bath) at the chic Drift Spa. When night falls, hit the hotel’s popular Rain nightclub or Moon, another club with live DJs, multiple bars, and a retractable roof. For an especially girly getaway, consider the 2,350-square-foot Barbie Suite, decorated with framed Barbie prints, a fireplace, super-pink Barbie patterns on the pillows and walls, and 65 Barbie dolls mounted on a mirror.

When is the last time you had a sexy evening with your man? Between kids and work, we often forget that the men in our lives need attention too. So why not plan and Ultimate Night of romance to show him just how much he’s desired.

Ultimate Nights, a Miami-based company specializing in luxury lifestyle and romance products, has recently released some products that will surely make for a sizzling evening:

Ultimate Instinct ($13.50) – a unisex pheromone-released cologne, that works with the male and female body chemistry to create individual unique scents. Considered the most powerful attractant for humans, pheromones work as seductive properties to attract members of the opposite sex. It’s 100 percent pure oils with no mineral oil, fillers or cutting agents. You’ll love the smell of it…and more importantly so will he!

Aromatherapy Soy Candles ($9.50-22.00) – these elegant jar candles are comprised of 100 percent highly scented soy and grapeseed oil. With the perfect marriage of his and hers fragrances, like vanilla bean and tobacco, the candles permeate the room and lend themselves to a relaxed serene environment, perfect for an intimate evening together. The candles come in range of enticing monikers including Inspiration, Devotion, Desire and others.

Zen Massager ($29.00) – This massager is so small it fits in the palm of your hand – so you can take it anywhere. Perfect for relieving neck tension and muscle soreness, the Zen Massager offers a one-touch push button control that will surprise and delight your honey.

Whether you’re looking to surprise your man or for a great bridal shower gift for your girlfriend, these Ultimate goodies, along with a variety of other bath, body, lifestyle and romance products, are available for purchase at www.ultimatenightsparty.com/order.asp. Business opportunities and Party Hostess Information can also be found at the website.

It’s good enough for Selma Hayek, Mandy Moore and Adrianna Lima…eloping is the smart girl’s marriage. With all the money you’re saving on a big affair you can put a down payment on a house, get a bigger diamond in your engagement ring or go on a lavish honeymoom.

Just because you’re taking the low-cost road to tying the knot doesn’t mean you have to look like a budget bride. Tadashi Shoji’s spring 2009 collection offers reasonably priced couture that’s perfect for your special occasion.

I’m completely in love with this line! Absolutely anything you choose will make you an effortlessly beautiful bride.